My laboratory is interested in understanding the molecular function of the Fanconi anemia (FA) protein network in context with other proteins that regulate or influence genomic stability. Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disease that is typically associated with developmental abnormalities, bone marrow failure and increased risk of cancer. Because the majority of the FA proteins are unique with no significant homologies, we expect the results of our studies to shed new light on fundamental mechanisms that control the integrity of the human genome and influence cancer susceptibility. The FA pathway is part of a network of proteins that contains BRCA2 and two other recently identified FA genes (FANCN and FANCJ) that influence breast cancer susceptibility. Ultimately, insights into the mechanism of the FA/BRCA network of proteins will lead to an understanding of the underlying molecular defect in FA and may lead to more effective avenues of treatment for this devastating pediatric disease and cancer.